By Richard Nash

After starting the season with their customary 4-3-3 formation, Wigan have now lined up in a 3-4-3 system ever since their 3-3 draw with Blackburn on November 19th. Roberto Martinez trialled the system in a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on October 1st, but then reverted back to his familiar 4-3-3 for their following game against Bolton.

Roma relieved all pressure on their previously under-fire boss Luis Enrique with a Sunday evening victory at Napoli's San Paolo. Lining-up without regulars Miralem Pjanic, Fernando Gago and Simon Kjaer, the Giallorossi took the lead after just three minutes. Erik Lamela's cross deflected off Salvatore Aronica and bounced over the line after striking ‘keeper Morgan De Sanctis' arm: a freak goal,.

The draw for the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League is complete. The Chels popped out of that giant serving bowl very early on.

Who'd we get, then? Fucking Napoli.

Dangerous

I think we all agreed prior to the draw that all of our potential opponents in the first knockout stage of this competition represented tricky ties to navigate.

Not only is Ezequiel Lavezzi too fast for shoes, but he doesn't even need them to continue dancing through opposing defenses, if unsuccessfully.

Or maybe just learning how to continue on while one loses their personal belongings is an acquired skill of many in Napoli.

(Go with that.

Last sixteen of the UEFA Champions League? Say word.

I reckon that's a Luis Suarez (a couple middle fingers) to all our detractors. Tell me you don't agree. But, now that we've booked our place in the knockout stages of the competition, we need to look ahead to our possible opposition in the opening round.

Deadlines for previewing the final rounds of the 2011 Torneo Apertura have severely hampered my style this week, so without further ado here's a quick catch-up in the main leagues covered by Argentines Abroad. In England's Premier League, Sergio Agüero ... Continue reading →

The weekend just gone saw as many crucial contributions from Argentines as ever in the world's biggest leagues, and a welcome return to form for the usual suspects in the Mexican league after last week's no-show. With the usual contributions ... Continue reading →

Hanno prima svaligiato la casa di Cavani. Poi hanno rapinato la moglie incinta di Hamsik. L'unico del tridente delle meraviglie immune ai trattamenti della malavita napoletana sembrava Ezequiel Lavezzi. Ieri notte è stata colmata anche questa lacuna. A farne le spese è stata fidanzata del Pocho, Yanina Screpante, che nella notte tra sabato e domenica,Continua a leggere .

It was a mixed week for Serie A clubs competing in Europe's top competition. An enthralling encounter with the world's best side ended in disappointment for AC Milan, while city rivals Inter did just enough to earn qualification into the knockout stages with a draw in Turkey. But for calcio fanatics, the highlight of this week's Champions League action came from a 2-1 contest at the Stadio San.

There are multiple story lines that could be woven into a discussion on Napoli's win over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday. The partenopei, an average club paying average wages to a relatively small squad, defeated the oil-sheik's wealthy play toys. On a broader level, the team from the inferior Serie A beat the club from the best league in the world to take second.

There are multiple story lines that could be woven into a discussion on Napoli's win over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday. The partenopei, an average club paying average wages to a relatively small squad, defeated the oil-sheik's wealthy play toys. On a broader level, the team from the inferior Serie A beat the club from the best league in the world to take second.

A pretty disappointing results gained by two Manchester teams in their Champions League campaign as league leader, Man City, were unsurprisingly beaten by Napoli 2-1 at San Paolo, while Man United only managed a draw against Benfica at Old Trafford.

The results puts both teams' position in their group in a lot of trouble as there's a solid chance that the two might not make in through the next round, considering the tough competition they're facing.

szólj hozzá: N2-1M

Napoli put Manchester City back in their box as Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi haunted the City defence all night in Naples as Napoli beat City 2-1 with Joe Hart keeping the score-line respectful on the night.

Put Kindle on your Christmas list

By JOEY SAMUEL

When Argentina opened its campaign to qualify for the 2014 World Cup with a commanding 4-1 win over Chile, things looked to be back on track for the Albiceleste after a disastrous 2011 Copa America.

But only two games later, that optimism has completely faded away.

Argentina's qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup hit another bump in the road on Friday afternoon where, in the glorious Monumental sunshine, Bolivia took the lead and eventually held the hosts to a 1-1 draw in the third round ... Continue reading →

The Line-up for the Game against Bolivia is:
Pastore -- Higuain -- Messi
Alvarez -- Mascherano -- Gago
Rodriguez -- Burdisso -- Demichelis -- Zabaleta
Sabella, the coach of Argentina's National team has selected his 21+ players for the second round of games against Bolivia & Colombia this November 2011 for the 2014 World Cup qualifications.

by serieaweekly guest writer Matthew Coccoluto This Sunday will see Juventus travel to the San Paolo to take on Napoli and as always there are some interesting story lines coming into this matchup. Juventus are coming off a strong win against Inter last weekend and are hoping to remain the leagues only unbeaten team.

By Chris Wright

Short and sweet. During their 2-1 win over Catania, Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi pops off a little pass to a man who isn't technically there being as though he's just a substitute warming up on the touchline...

That'll be a throw-in to Catania then.

Sabella, the coach of Argentina's National team has selected his 21 players for the second round of games against Bolivia & Colombia this November 2011 for the 2014 World Cup qualifications.
Players left out from the previous games are: Ricky Alvarez, Rodrigo Palacio, Nicolás Otamendi, Eduardo Salvio, Jonás Gutiérrez, Nico Pareja, Emiliano Insúa y Fabián Rinaudo.

Napoli supporters – and in case you haven't figured it out, I am certainly one of those – have reason to be thrilled after Wednesday's performance against Udinese. The zebrette had been undefeated through their first seven matches, with Samir Handanovic not having conceded in over a month, when he allowed Stephan El Shaarawy's equalizer for Milan.

Serie A Weekly welcomes writer Kirsten Schlewitz to our Italian football frontpage For some reason, when gearing up for Napoli's match last week, I was convinced that they were playing Cagliari. Perhaps I simply had a premonition that the Partenopei were about to be beaten by Parma – at the San Paolo, mind you.

You can just tell by his look how ridiculous he think this is.Over the weekend, we tweeted a joke about how Tim Howard's orange jersey with the U.S. National Team and camouflage one with Everton makes him a prime candidate for an endorsement with Cabela's, Bass Pro Shop or some other hunting outfitter.

Manchester City are monitoring the availability of Napoli's Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi, with first-team coach Fausto Salsano hinting that the Eastlands outfit is likely to bid for the duo's services in the near future.

Napoli have maintained their incredible rise to prominence by starting off strongly in the Italian Serie A and also fighting City to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium in the opening fixture of the UEFA Champions League Group Stage.

We've got a neat finish from Javier Pastore, Gonzalo Higuaín's hat trick for Madrid, some lovely goals form Mexico and, um, a description of Jonás Gutiérrez's brilliant solo effort for Newcastle United (thanks to the Premier League not allowing videos ... Continue reading →

Once again Serie A did not disappoint this weekend with some cracking entertainment. Roma picked up their first home win of the season while Napoli won the Saturday night showdown against opponents Inter. On Sunday Juventus showed they are real contenders, winning under the roof of there new stadium against champions AC Milan, leaving all Juventi to cheer scudetto here we come.

At the Stadio San Paolo earlier this week, in front of a thunderous support, Napoli made their grand entrance onto the European stage, as they defeated Villareal 2-0 in their first home match in the Champions League. Perhaps it is almost time for the football world to stand up and take notice of Napoli.

By CALEB SONNELAND

Just when will Carlos Tevez find his way out of the media spotlight?

Not today.

West Ham is reportedly prepared to offer Tevez a lifeline by taking the want-away striker on loan from Manchester City until at least the January transfer window.

This week's Argentines Abroad is late, thanks to the midweek round of matches here in Argentina keeping me busy. Better late than never, though. As well as Lionel Messi's hat-trick in Barcelona's 8-0 demolition of Osasuna, we've got videos of ... Continue reading →

Serie A Weekly welcomes back writer Andrew Murray who will be covering Team of the Week and as well as other topics... Napoli shot to the top of Serie A on Sunday night as a classic counter-attacking performance and an Edinson Cavani secured a 3-1 victory over champions AC Milan. The Partenopei showed few signs of a European hangover after Wednesday's Champions League tie, and it was.

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has confirmed there is a buyout clause written into the contract of reported Liverpool target Ezequiel Lavezzi.
But Laurentiis is irritated that he ever reached such an agreement with Lavezzi and his representatives - and claims it will never happen again.
"Lavezzi's agent very sneakily asked me for a buy-out clause and as a novice, I fell for it, but from that point on I have never accepted another clause in the contract," said De Laurentiis.

The Time Is Napoli! Italy's two premier sides went head to head in the peninsula's showcase match of Week 2. Both the Partenepoi and Rossoneri earned respectable draws against hotly fancied opposition in Manchester City and Barcelona respectively midweek, were coming into the Sao Paolo clash with injury concerns.

The Time Is Napoli! Italy's two premier sides went head to head in the peninsula's showcase match of Week 2. Both the Partenepoi and Rossoneri earned respectable draws against hotly fancied opposition in Manchester City and Barcelona respectively midweek, were coming into the Sao Paolo clash with injury concerns.

Let me take you back to November 4th 2010. Napoli played Liverpool at Anfield. Napoli were 1-0 ahead thanks to an Ezequiel Lavezzi goal after 28 minutes and remained ahead with 15 minutes to play. Napoli fell apart to lose 3-1. The Partenopei could not cope with the Premier League sides ability to increasing the intensity as they sought to level and eventually win the game.

Let me take you back to November 4th 2010. Napoli played Liverpool at Anfield. Napoli were 1-0 ahead thanks to an Ezequiel Lavezzi goal after 28 minutes and remained ahead with 15 minutes to play. Napoli fell apart to lose 3-1. The Partenopei could not cope with the Premier League sides ability to increasing the intensity as they sought to level and eventually win the game.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

It seemed like an easy three points for Inter Milan as they opened UEFA Champions League play against Turkish replacements Trabzonspor, but the 2010 European champions were shocked with a 1-0 defeat at home.

Inter couldn't convert a plethora of chances and were eventually made to pay with a well-taken goal from Ondrej Celustka with 15 minutes to play.

So after 20 years the long wait is nearly over for Napoli as they embark on their first season in the Champions League since the glory days of the late 80′s and early 90′s, an era in the club's history dominated by Diego Maradona. Now its the turn of Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik to display their abundant talents in European football's premier.

It was another packed weekend in which Argentines around the world had a big say in footballing matters, so here's another dose of Argentines Abroad. Sergio Agüero hit a hat-trick for Manchester City, Fernando Belluschi for Porto and Javier Pastore ... Continue reading →

Picking Napoli to finish fourth, a spot behind last year's finish, is certainly not a popular prediction. Most fans of Serie A fell madly in love with their attractive attacking style last season, and would be happy to see them win their first major trophy in over two decades. But despite the excitement surrounding this terrifically talented team, I still see them dropping a place in the table this year and thus missing the Champions League next season.

This piece is the first of a new 'round table' feature which will be appearing here on HEGS and other Argentine football blogs across the internet. Every now and then (probably roughly every two weeks) someone will propose a bunch of ... Continue reading →

Gazzetta dello Sport Juve double assault Prandelli says "If Cassano stays at Milan, will be a regular" Galliani applauds Montolivo-Aquilani "They are Mr X and Mr Y" De Laurentiis to go to Spain for Rossi Inter: Tevez or Lavezzi on the way Eto'o perhaps in Russia by August 21 De La Pena goes, offer increased for Osvaldo Gilardino for Genoa, Maxi Lopez towards Florence .